E. ALLEN TWP., Pa. – The East Allen Township Board of Supervisors held a conditional use hearing on a mixed-use development Thursday night at the municipal building.

The project, known as the Villages of East Allen, calls for two commercial buildings; two medical office buildings; a 4,800-square-foot restaurant; and a residential area of 10 buildings with 60 townhome units at 7111 Beth-Bath Pike (Route 512) in Northampton County. That’s near the intersection of Beth-Bath Pike and Steuben Road.

The property rests in the PC-2 Limited Planned Commercial zoning district and currently is agricultural and vacant land. The applicant, developer Abe Atiyeh through ARA Racquetball LP, acquired the property on Aug. 28, 2015.

Two witnesses testified on behalf of ARA during Thursday night’s hearing — Kris Reiss, the project’s engineer, and Gene Berg, the project’s architect.

The townhome units would be 38 feet in height with no elevators. The applicant added the structure could be designed to save 3 feet in height. This would reduce the total from 38 to 35 feet. Each unit will be equipped with a one-car garage.

The project is slated to be served by public water and public sewer. The plan also proposes curb and sidewalk for stormwater control and pedestrian safety. The developer’s staff noted the sidewalks will also provide connectivity between the commercial and residential areas. Lighting proposed for the project will not be higher than 16 feet above the adjacent grade.

The proposed Villages of East Allen has been designed so no commercial traffic would pass a residence, the applicant said. All the commercial uses are designated along Beth Bath Pike.

Reiss and Berg told the board the project complies with the spirit, purpose, intent and requirements of the zoning ordinance. The plan is also in compliance with East Allen’s comprehensive plan for the district, which is to provide for a variety of commercial and business uses.

During a public comment session, residents expressed concerns about how the project could make an already challenging traffic situation in the area worse. Others thought the three-story townhomes would not be conducive to older residents. Still other speakers thought the development was not family-friendly.

Supervisors offered no verdict Thursday night. They are scheduled to announce a decision on Nov. 12.